Board approves HVAC replacements after freeze damage; also OKs personnel, contracts and YMCA agreements

The Abington Board of School Directors on Feb. 25 authorized an amendment to the district’s Guaranteed Energy Savings Act (GESA) contract to replace damaged unit ventilators at Copper Beach Elementary School and to install digital controls districtwide, while also approving a series of routine financial and operating motions.

The facilities director, Bob Curtin, told the board the work responds to frozen coils and split, damaged units after recent extreme cold. The recommendation calls for demolition and replacement of 25 classroom unit ventilators and the installation of direct digital controls (DDC) on 74 units (65 vertical and 9 horizontal units). Curtin said replacement rather than repair was chosen because the existing units are more than 25 years old and replacement will be longer lasting.

Funding and operational impact The superintendent noted Copper Beach lost about a day and a half of instruction because of the HVAC failures. Curtin said the project will be paid from the district’s 2024 obligation bond. He described the digital controls as a tool to remotely monitor and adjust building temperatures and dampers and to provide a “digital footprint” of building conditions that can prevent, or more quickly respond to, future outages.

Board members questioned whether tariffs or supply issues could affect future equipment costs; Curtin said current pricing reflects a temporary tariff pause but cautioned future tariff changes could raise prices.

Votes at a glance - Personnel addenda (addenda 6.1, 6.1a, confidential 6.1b): approved (roll call) - Financial report (period ending 01/31/2025): approved (roll call) - Payment of bills (period ending 01/31/2025): approved (roll call) - Permits for use of buildings and grounds (addendum 9.1): approved (roll call) - Awards of contract (addendum 10.1): approved (replacement of eight 72‑passenger buses via capital lease; replacement electronic sign at Abington Senior High School funded largely by the Class of 2023) - Agreement with Rooted Tree Productions Inc. for summer theater space (June 20–July 11): approved - YMCA lease extension for before/after school care at seven elementary schools (one‑year extension): approved - YMCA summer camp agreement for Copper Beach and Rydal elementary schools (projected charge $66,947.09 if fully utilized, prorated by actual use): approved - Amendment to Guaranteed Energy Savings Act contract with CM3 (Copper Beach unit ventilator replacements and DDC controls): approved - Confidential student matters (education service agreement): approved

All motions listed above passed on roll calls recorded during the meeting.

Why it matters: The HVAC amendment addresses a facilities failure that interrupted instruction and aims to reduce future disruptions. The YMCA and summer‑camp approvals continue…